Like many good stories in the Mekong, Baan Mae Kampong’s begins with coffee.
In the 1980s, this village near Chiang Mai in northern Thailand began growing coffee for the Royal Project. Later, the village also joined the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) scheme, which called on members to produce a specialised product or service. The village headman at the time proposed Mae Kampong as an eco-tourism village, taking full advantage of the village’s natural surroundings and mountain location.
Today, Mae Kampong operates as a community-based tourism effort, deriving from its picturesque geography and its humble but vibrant local culture. Profits from tourism go into a co-operative, which then sustains local projects and helps preserve the community.
The village life in Baan Mae Kampong
Baan Mae Kampong’s mountainous, forested location ensures a pleasant, cool climate all year round. The village itself sits about 1,300 meters above sea level; visitors will find the main road lined with old wooden shophouses, selling rustic Lanna food and souvennirs.
The village pioneered the homestay experience in Thailand. Starting from a mere handful of homes, the homestay options now number over 20, each one meeting the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s high standards of hospitality. The TAT also limits the number of homestays to prevent overtourism.
For between THB 500 to 2000 per night, homestay guests can expect an authentic immersion in the local lifestyle, getting to know the culture and participating in their hosts’ daily activities.
Ecotourism in Mae Kampong
It’s no surprise that many of Mae Kampong’s attractions capitalize on the cool mountain climate and the verdant hills around the village.
These views are best appreciated from the local viewpoints – Kew Fin Viewpoint, famous for its unobstructed views of Chiang Mai province; the Giant Chiangmai, a treehouse cafe offering mesmerizing views of the rainforest; or, closer to the village, the Ing Dao cafe’s grandstand view over Mae Kampong itself.
Exploring the surrounding countryside yields some rewarding surprises. A short hike from the village leads to the stunning Mae Kampong Waterfall– it cascades down seven rocky steps, creating the ideal wet selfie backdrop!
The Teen Tok Royal Project, on the other hand, promotes diversified farming in Mae Kampong – most notably arabica coffee and tea leaves – and also serves traditional Thai dishes made from fresh, locally grown produce at the project’s restaurant.
How CBT benefits Mae Kampong
Over 30 households participate in Mae Kampong’s CBT effort. Villagers add their tourism revenues to the local cooperative, which produces income for all community members while funding a range of social and environmental activities.
These include tree planting; building a buffer line to slow forest fires; and contributing to anti-illegal logging and anti-orchid smuggling initiatives.
A 2016 study reviewed the outcomes from Mae Kampong, and found that tourism had provided an immense boost to local livelihoods: expanding the variety of income resources, improving local quality of life, and enabling villagers to contribute and work together as one community.
That’s the best reason to visit Baan Mae Kampong in northern Thailand. When you visit the pioneering CBT project in Thailand, you can rest assured your tourism money helps the community in the most far-reaching ways.
